Editing 2GB

{{short description|Radio station in Sydney, Australia}}
{{about|the radio station|the size limit|2 GB limit}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = 2GB
| logo = 2GB Sydney Logo.png
| city = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]
| area = [[Sydney]] RA1
| branding = 2GB 873
| frequency = 873 [[kHz]] [[AM radio|AM]] (1978–present)
| translator = 
| repeater = 
| airdate = {{start date and age|df=yes|1926|08|23}}
| last_airdate = <!-- for defunct stations -->
| format = [[Talk radio]]
| language = English
| power = 
| erp = 5kW<ref>''[http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets/main/lib100059/stations_book_electronic_edition.pdf Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231171445/http://acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets/main/lib100059/stations_book_electronic_edition.pdf |date=31 December 2010 }}''. Australian Communications and Media Authority: October 2011. p. 8.</ref>
| haat = 
| class = 
| licensing_authority = [[Australian Communications & Media Authority]]
| facility_id = 
| coordinates = {{coord|-33.8542|151.0650|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning = [[Giordano Bruno|'''G'''iordano '''B'''runo]]
| former_callsigns = 
| former_frequencies = 950 kHz AM (1926–1935)<br />870 kHz (1935–1978)
| network = [[Nine Radio]]
| owner = [[Nine Entertainment]]
| licensee = Harbour Radio Pty Ltd
| sister_stations = [[2UE]]
| webcast = 
| website = {{URL|http://www.2gb.com/}}
}}

'''2GB''' is a [[Commercial broadcasting|commercial]] radio station in [[Sydney]], Australia, owned by [[Nine Radio]], that also owns [[2UE]].

2GB broadcasts on 873 [[kHz]], [[Amplitude modulation|AM]].

In 2024, 2GB held 14% of the total radio ratings share, making it one of the most widely listened-to radio stations in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web |author=GFK Audience Measurement |date=9 July 2024 |title=2024 GFK Radio Ratings Survey 4 |url=https://www.gfk.com/hubfs/ANZ%20MEDIA/AU/Metro%20Survey%20Summary%20Reports/2024/Survey%204/bmn9saGfK_RADIO%20360_Summary%20Report%20Sydney_Survey%204%202024.pdf |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=GFK Australia}}</ref>

== History ==
2GB commenced intermittent broadcasting in August 1926.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16327331|title = New Station Opened|newspaper = [[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date = 24 August 1926|page = 10|access-date = 25 April 2010}}</ref> The operator, Theosophical Broadcasting Station Pty Ltd, owned by interests associated with the local branch of [[Theosophical Society Adyar]], was granted a radio broadcasting licence for the Sydney area.<ref>{{cite Australian Dictionary of Biography | last = Roe | first = J.I. | title = Arundale, George Sydney (1878–1945), Online Edition | year = 2006 |id=A070107b | access-date = 12 January 2009}}</ref>
The initials honour [[Giordano Bruno]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weekends with Bill Woods - Sunday, 21st of July - Weekends with Luke Grant |url=https://omny.fm/shows/2gb-weekends/weekends-with-bill-woods-sunday-21st-of-july |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=omny.fm |language=en}}</ref> George A. Saunders, previously with 2BL, became 2GB's first station manager and (as "Uncle George") on-air personality in 1927.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248586119 |title=Sydney Radio Pioneer Dies |newspaper=[[Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]] |volume=XVIII |issue=102 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=20 July 1953 |access-date=1 September 2022 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

2GB became the first Australian station to play transcription records by 1933, holding the world's largest transcribed record library at the time.<ref name="radioyesteryear.org.au">{{cite web |url=http://radioyesteryear.org.au/timelines.htm |title=Radio Timelines of Australia |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=August 24, 2008 |website=The All New Radio Yesteryear |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215210314/http://radioyesteryear.org.au/timelines.htm |archive-date=2011-02-15 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The controlling interest in the station was purchased by '''Denison Estates Ltd''' in 1936. A new board of directors was appointed under chairman [[Hugh Denison]] and included Frederick Daniell and A. E. Bennett, who continued as station manager.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17287755 |title=STATION 2GB. Sale of Controlling Interest. |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=13 November 1936 |page=11 |access-date=26 April 2010 |via=nla.gov.au}}</ref>

In what radio historian and writer [[Richard Lane (writer)|Richard Lane]] termed "The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama", Denison and his media adviser Daniell inaugurated the [[Broadcasting Service Association]] Players, renamed the Macquarie Players in 1938.

2GB produced local weekly serials such as ''Dolly and Dan'' and ''Doctor Mac'', and presented a full-length drama on Sunday afternoons. Writers included [[John E. C. Appleton]], [[Lynn Foster]], E. Mason Wood, William L. Power<!--lawyer who wrote successful "Men Need Armour", active in radio 1937-38 then presumably returned to legal work--> (who dramatised [[Helen de Guerry Simpson]]'s ''Boomerang'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52245744 |title=Famous Novel Dramatised for Radio |newspaper=[[Australian Women's Weekly]] | date=21 August 1937 |access-date=3 May 2012 |page=37 |publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]}}</ref> a series on "Famous Escapes",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52265485 |title=Famous "Escape" Stories to Be Radio Plays |newspaper=The Australian Women's Weekly |date=8 January 1938 |access-date=3 May 2012 |page=30 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and ''Tales Told to Peter and Pam'', a popular children's series<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52255166 |title=Success of William Power |newspaper=The Australian Women's Weekly |date=23 January 1937 |access-date=3 May 2012 |page=24 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>), [[E. V. Timms]] and Ken Pawley.

Actors included [[James Raglan]], [[Lou Vernon]], [[Peter Finch]], Betty Suttor and Harry Dearth.<ref>Lane, Richard ''The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama'' Melbourne University Press 1994 {{ISBN|0-522-84556-8}}</ref>

The station launched the Macquarie Radio Network, in February 1938, in competition with the Major Network, started by fellow Sydney station [[2UE]].<ref name="radioyesteryear.org.au"/>

"Calling the Stars" was an expensive show created locally and sponsored by [[Colgate-Palmolive]]. The stars of the show included comedians [[Jack Davey]], `Mo’ ([[Roy Rene]]) and [[Willie Fennell]]. [[Dorothy Foster (comedian)|Dorothy (Dilly) Foster]] and Rita Pauncefort read double entendres as the not too bright, "Ada and Elsie" in a script written by Foster until 1954.<ref>{{Citation |last=Lane |first=Richard |title=Dorothy Isabel May Foster (1908–1981) |work=Australian Dictionary of Biography |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/foster-dorothy-isabel-may-12507 |access-date=2024-08-04 |place=Canberra |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |language=en}}</ref>

In 1940, the station became the largest producer of radio drama programs in the Southern Hemisphere.<ref name="radioyesteryear.org.au"/> During [[World War II]], 2GB provided transcription records to the [[Australian Army]]'s network of radio stations in [[Papua New Guinea]] and the [[Pacific Islands]].<ref name="radioyesteryear.org.au"/>

Station announcer [[Ted Harris (company director)|Ted Harris]], aided by American [[Ted Schroeder]], became the first man to give a direct ball-by-ball description of the [[Davis Cup]] from [[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]] to Australia on 27 August 1955.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commercialradio.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1009 |title=1009 |access-date=2010-06-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430151412/http://www.commercialradio.com.au/index.cfm?page_id=1009 |archive-date=30 April 2010}}</ref> Two years later, 2GB became the first Australian station to air news bulletins on the hour, every hour during its broadcast day.<ref name="radioyesteryear.org.au"/>

Prior to 1964, the controlling interest (45%) was held by Broadcasting Associates Pty Ltd, with 14% owned by [[Fairfax Media|John Fairfax]], and the balance owned by various smaller shareholders. Broadcasting Associates was owned by ATV (Australia) Pty Ltd, the Australian subsidiary of [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] company [[Associated Television]].<ref name="takeovers.gov.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.takeovers.gov.au/content/Resources/cslrc/cslrc_discussion_paper_no_7.aspx|title=The Takeovers Panel}}</ref> In 1964, Fairfax purchased ATV's Australian assets, including the 45% share in 2GB.<ref name="takeovers.gov.au"/>

Although the ownership of the station has subsequently passed to strictly commercial interests, the Theosophical Society was still presenting programmes on the station as late as 1975.<ref>{{cite web |title=Christmas Universal|publisher=Theosophical Society in Tasmania |date=21 December 1975 |url=http://www.theosophicaltas.websyte.com.au/site.cfm?/theosophicaltas/4/ |access-date=12 January 2009}}</ref>

[[Ray Hadley]], previously with [[2UE]], became a presenter at the station in 2001.

2GB had a standby mast and its original 873 AM transmitter tower at [[Wentworth Point]] at [[Homebush Bay]]. Its location was visible via the Ryde Bridge, and also via the train line to Rhodes and Concord train stations. Due to a redevelopment occurring on the same land, the tower was brought down on Friday 11 September 2015. A month or two before, a new tower was erected for 2GB and is now situated at the 2KY transmitter site, also in Homebush.
In October 2012, following the [[Alan Jones "died of shame" controversy]], 2GB suspended advertising on the Alan Jones show.<ref>{{cite news|title=No ads on Alan Jones Show|publisher=radioinfo.com.au|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/no-ads-alan-jones-show-updated-audio|access-date=7 October 2012|website=www.radioinfo.com.au|date=7 October 2012}}</ref> This decision was reversed in October 2012, but many advertisers declined to return to sponsoring the program.<ref>{{cite news|title=Advertisers return today to Jones show|publisher=[[News Corp Australia]]|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/advertisers-return-today-to-jones-show/story-e6frg996-1226496677169#|access-date=10 December 2013|website=[[The Australian]]|date=16 October 2012}}</ref>

In June 2014, Michael Smith was fired as fill-in commentator for calling [[Muhammad]] a [[paedophile]]; Program Director David Kidd referred to Muhammad as a deity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-29/2gb-dumps-shock-jock-michael-smith-over-mohammed-comments/5557600|title=Radio presenter Michael Smith dumped after comments about the Prophet Mohammed |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=29 June 2014}}</ref>

==Merger==

On 1 April 2015 The Macquarie Radio Network merged with the Fairfax Radio Network of [[Fairfax Media]]. The news teams of 2UE and 2GB are being merged with "significant job cuts." Consequently, on 9 April 2015 the 2UE newsroom was closed.<ref name=aust-no-news>{{cite news |last1=Sinclair|first1=Lara |title=2UE News to go off air as newsroom merges with 2GB |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/ue-news-to-go-off-air-as-newsroom-merges-with-2gb/story-e6frg996-1227297386479 |access-date=11 April 2015 |work=The Australian |agency=AAP |publisher=[[News Limited]] |date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref name=fairfax-merge-macq>{{cite press release |title=Completion of Fairfax Radio Network Merger With Macquarie Radio Network |url=http://www.fairfaxmedia.com.au/pressroom/au---nz-press-room/au---nz-press-room/completion-of-fairfax-radio-network-merger-with-macquarie-radio-network |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]  |access-date=11 April 2015 |date=31 March 2015 |quote=Fairfax Media Limited ... today announced the completion of the merger of its Fairfax Radio Network ... with Macquarie Radio Network ...}}</ref>

== Callsign and frequency ==
The number '''2''' of the callsign refers to the state of [[New South Wales]], which also has [[postcode]]s starting with '''2'''. The two letters '''GB''' indicate an [[AM broadcasting|AM]] station, and were chosen to honour the Italian philosopher [[Giordano Bruno]],<ref>{{cite web | last = Kohn | first = Rachael | title = Theosophy Today | work = The Spirit of Things (Transcript) | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date = 15 November 2006 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/spiritofthings/theosophy-today/3364732#transcript | access-date = 12 January 2009}}</ref> who was much admired by Theosophists. Its original frequency allocation was 950&nbsp;kHz and moved to 870&nbsp;kHz in 1935,<ref>[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11015274 Wavelengths and Frequencies] ''The Argus (Melbourne)'' 16 February 1935 Retrieved 16 September 2011</ref> then to 873 on 23 November 1978, when channel separation was reduced from 10&nbsp;kHz to 9&nbsp;kHz as a result of an [[Geneva Frequency Plan of 1975|international medium wave frequency realignment]]. It has also been attributed to Grace Brothers the department store building where the station originally broadcast from.

== Current presenters ==

=== Monday to Thursday ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Program 
!Presenters
!Times
|-
|Australia Overnight (Mon-Thurs)
|[[Ugly Phil]]
|12&nbsp;am to 5:30&nbsp;am
|-

|-
|Ben Fordham Live
|[[Ben Fordham]]
|5:30&nbsp;am to 9&nbsp;am
|-
|The Mark Levy Morning Show
|Mark Levy
|9&nbsp;am to 12&nbsp;pm
|-
|2GB Afternoons
|Michael McLaren
|12&nbsp;pm to 3&nbsp;pm
|-
|Sydney Now
|Clinton Maynard
|3&nbsp;pm to 6&nbsp;pm
|-
|Wide World of Sports
|Adam Hawse 
|6&nbsp;pm to 7&nbsp;pm
|-
|Money News
|[[Deborah Knight]]
|7&nbsp;pm to 8&nbsp;pm
|-
|Nights with John Stanley
|[[John Stanley (radio broadcaster)|John Stanley]]
|8&nbsp;pm to 12&nbsp;am
|}

=== Friday ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Program 
!Presenters
!Times
|-
|Australia Overnight
|[[Ugly Phil]]
|12&nbsp;am to 5:30&nbsp;am
|-
|Ben Fordham Live
|[[Ben Fordham]]
|5:30&nbsp;am to 9&nbsp;am
|-
|The Mark Levy Morning Show
|Mark Levy
|9&nbsp;am to 12&nbsp;pm
|-
|2GB Afternoons
|Michael McLaren
|12&nbsp;pm to 3&nbsp;pm
|-
|Sydney Now
|Clinton Maynard
|3&nbsp;pm to 6&nbsp;pm
|-
|Wide World of Sports
|Adam Hawse 
|6&nbsp;pm to 7&nbsp;pm
|-
|The Continuous Call Team
|Various NRL Presenters
|7&nbsp;pm to 11&nbsp;pm <br />(NRL season)
|-
|Nights with John Stanley
|[[John Stanley (radio broadcaster)|John Stanley]]
|7&nbsp;pm to 11&nbsp;pm <br />(NRL off-season)
|-
|The Mark Levy Morning Show
|Mark Levy
|11&nbsp;pm to 12&nbsp;am
|}

=== Saturday ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Program 
!Presenters
!Times
|-
|Australia Overnight
|Pat Panetta
|12&nbsp;am to 6&nbsp;am
|-
|The Garden Clinic
|Sandra Ross <br />[[Graham Ross (horticulturalist)|Graham Ross]]
|6&nbsp;am to 8&nbsp;am
|-
|Life and Technology
|Charlie Brown
|8&nbsp;am to 9&nbsp;am
|-
|Weekends with Luke Grant
|Luke Grant
|9&nbsp;am to 1&nbsp;pm
|-
|The Continuous Call Team
|[[Darryl Brohman]] <br />[[Paul Gallen]] <br />[[Josh Morris (rugby league)|Josh Morris]]
|1&nbsp;pm to 10&nbsp;pm <br />(NRL season)
|-
|The Two Murrays
|Murray Olds
Murray Wilton
|1&nbsp;pm to 6&nbsp;pm <br />(NRL off-season)
|-
|Saturday Nights
|Simon Owens
|6 pm - 10 pm
|-
|The Country Music Countdown
|Robert Smith
|10&nbsp;pm to 12&nbsp;am
|}

=== Sunday ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Program 
!Presenters
!Times
|-
|Australia Overnight
|Pat Panetta
|12&nbsp;am to 6&nbsp;am
|-
|The Garden Clinic
|Sandra Ross <br />[[Graham Ross (horticulturalist)|Graham Ross]]
|6&nbsp;am to 8&nbsp;am
|-
|The House of Wellness
|Luke Hines <br />Gerald Quigley <br />Sarah Davidson <br />Zoe Bingley–Pullin <br />Melissa Doyle
|8&nbsp;am to 9&nbsp;am
|-
|Weekends with Luke Grant
|Luke Grant
|9&nbsp;am to 1&nbsp;pm
|-
|The Continuous Call Team
|[[Darryl Brohman]] <br />[[Mark Riddell]] <br />Neil Breen
|1&nbsp;pm to 6&nbsp;pm <br />(NRL season)
|-
|The Two Murrays
|Murray Olds
Murray Wilton
|1&nbsp;pm to 6&nbsp;pm <br />(NRL off-season)
|-
|Healthy Living
|Dr. Ross Walker
|6&nbsp;pm to 9&nbsp;pm 
|-
|Sunday Night with Bill Crews
|[[Bill Crews (minister)|Rev. Bill Crews]]
|9&nbsp;pm to 12&nbsp;am
|}

== Former presenters ==
* [[Brian Carlton]]
* [[Philip Clark (radio presenter)|Philip Clark]]
* [[Jack Davey]]
* [[Bob Dyer]]
* Terry Dear
* [[John Dease]]
* Ken Howard (race caller)
* [[John Tapp (commentator)|John Tapp]] (race caller)
* John Pearce
* [[Gwen Plumb]]
* Dita Cobb
* Ian McRae
* [[Grant Goldman]] (formerly with [[2SM]])
* [[Tim Webster]] (now with [[2CH]])
* [[Jim Wilson (broadcaster)|Jim Wilson]]
* [[Malcolm T. Elliott]]
* [[John Laws]]
* [[Mike Carlton]]
* [[Bob Rogers (Disc Jockey)|Bob Rogers]]
* Peter Hand
* Owen Delaney (Australia Overnight)
* [[Jason Morrison (radio broadcaster)|Jason Morrison]]  
* [[Jim Ball (radio personality)|Jim Ball]]
* Luke Bona 
* [[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]]
* [[Terry Willesee]]
* [[Kerri-Anne Kennerley]]
* [[Stan Zemanek]]
* [[Graham Richardson]]
* [[Clive Robertson (broadcaster)|Clive Robertson]]
* [[Glenn Wheeler]]
* [[Brian Wilshire]]
* [[Ross Greenwood (journalist)|Ross Greenwood]]
* [[Steve Price (broadcaster)|Steve Price]]
* [[Ron Casey (Sydney broadcaster)|Ron Casey]]
* [[Chris O'Keefe]]
* [[Ray Hadley]]
* [[Mike Jeffreys ]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.2gb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=205&Itemid=134 Brief History] – transcript of talk by Alan Jones on the early history of this station and others
* [http://www.2gb.com Talkback Radio 2GB 873 AM]
* [http://www.2gb.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=43&Itemid=204 Macquarie National News]

{{Macquarie Media}}
{{Sydney Radio}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2 gb}}
[[Category:Radio stations in Sydney]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1926]]
[[Category:News and talk radio stations in Australia]]
[[Category:Nine Radio]]
[[Category:Giordano Bruno]]
[[Category:1926 establishments in Australia]]